Viva Energy’s acquisition of Liberty Oil approved by ACCC

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission will not oppose the acquisition.

Viva Energy Australia has the green light to buy the remaining 50% interest in Liberty Oil Holdings’ wholesale business.

Viva Energy Australia, a wholly owned entity of Viva Energy Group, and Liberty operate as wholesalers and retailers of fuel products.

Liberty Wholesale supplies fuel and lubricants to a network of distributor partners across Australia, as well as more than 250 independent retail service stations operating under both the Shell and Liberty brands.

The ACCC found that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the wholesale supply of fuel products.

“Retailers told us that there are alternative wholesale suppliers and alternative brands they could switch to. We consider that, post-acquisition, the threat of fuel retailers switching to an alternative supplier is likely to constrain Viva’s wholesale prices and supply terms,” ACCC Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said.